Vin Scully Ends 67-Year Career As Dodgers Announcer, Calls Willie Mays ‘My Favorite Player’

Vin Scully’s broadcasting career came to an emotional end as he was honored in rival territory Sunday, exactly 80 years to the day when his love for the sport of baseball began.

Vin Scully Ends 67-Year Career As Dodgers Announcer, Calls Willie Mays ‘My Favorite Player’

It remains indisputably impressive that the legendary 88-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers announcer had a lot of stamina. How many people could keep track of a game while telling stories, recalling memories and simultaneously remind us that he did this job for a whopping 67 years? Odds are, not very many.

Strolling around his neighborhood in New York as a boy, Scully saw a World Series score written on a shop window. The New York Yankees defeated the The New York Giants (currently the San Francisco Giants) 18-4 in Game 2 of the World Series.

The young, Irish-Catholic boy thus decided to become a baseball fan and a Giants fan in particular that day: Oct. 2, 1936.

On Sunday, Scully signed off for the final time during the Giants’ 7-1 home victory over the Dodgers: “I have said enough for a lifetime, and for the last time, I wish you all a very pleasant good afternoon.”

It seems fitting that his final game was played between his favorite childhood team and the team he will be forever linked to.

The Giants secured a spot in the playoffs to begin an on-field celebration.

Exactly one week earlier, the Dodgers delivered a spectacular ending for Scully in his final call of a home game. Charlie Culberson’s walk-off home run ended that game, and the Dodgers celebrated their own playoff clinching.

Scully’s voice has long been described as soothing and melodic by many.

“His voice hits the ear in just the right spot,” announcer Joe Buck said during Fox’s pre-game show on Saturday.

Scully also had the chance to legendary Giants center fielder Willie Mays before Sunday’s game. He told Mays, “You’ve always been my favorite player, even though you wore the wrong uniform,” something which made the 85-year-old former outfielder chuckle.

Here is that heartwarming moment:

Before the fourth inning, Scully and Mays stood together for the unveiling of a plaque for Scully in the Giants’ press box at AT&T Park.

Taped messages of the famed announcer were shown. In one video, Scully spun the yarn of the shop window and explained how he became a Giants fan. The franchise’s fans erupted in cheers as if the team had actually scored.

“To see him up here and for him to get the adoration from Giants fans, they did a good job of acknowledging him and loving on him here at AT&T Park, and giving him the respect he deserves,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It was going to be tough to beat last Sunday at home. That will be a high point. But for him to see the season out today, it’s a sad day but there should be rejoicing for sure. He’s had an amazing career.”

Inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 1982, Scully has called over 9,000 games. He has announced 20 no-hitters, and was there for five Dodgers championship seasons. He also called Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series and Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965.

The beloved announcer was known for coming up with witty descriptions for players and their actions. For example, players didn’t make bad contact, they “sounded like they hit that one with the morning paper.” And a high-energy player “makes coffee nervous.”

Scully also had an uncanny ability for reading lips, having deciphered Madison Bumgarner’s “Don’t look at me” as recently as a week and a half ago.

One of his go-to statements as his career winded down: “I’ve always needed you more than you have needed me.”

Now, the Dodgers and MLB must move on. Joe Davis, not yet 30, joined the Dodgers’ booth this season to call road games.

The Dodgers, who finished the season with a record of 91-71,  will next visit the Washington Nationals on Friday for Game 1 of the National League Division series.

The Giants will visit the New York mets on Wednesday for for the Wild Card round game.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 02: Broadcaster Vin Scully waves to fans in the broadcast booth before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park on October 2, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena